Combined Low-Energy Diet and Exercise Induces Remission in Early-Onset T2D

A randomized trial found that a combined low-energy diet (800–900 kcal/day) and structured exercise program induced type 2 diabetes remission in 54% of adults with early-onset type 2 diabetes (≤45 years), compared with only 4% receiving usual care at 24 weeks. The open-label trial included 96 adults aged 18–45 years with obesity and type 2 diabetes not treated with insulin across three centres in England and Canada. The intervention consisted of a 12-week low-energy diet with twice-weekly supervised aerobic and resistance exercise plus once-weekly independent exercise, followed by a 12-week weight-maintenance diet with independent exercise. Remission, defined as HbA1c <6.5% without glucose-lowering medication for at least 12 weeks, occurred in 27 of 50 intervention participants versus 2 of 46 controls, corresponding to an adjusted odds ratio of 21.6. No serious adverse events occurred, although most participants in the intervention group experienced transient effects related to the low-energy diet, including constipation, headache, dizziness, or fatigue. These findings demonstrate that combining substantial dietary energy restriction with intensive exercise can achieve high rates of remission in early-onset type 2 diabetes. Source: https://www.thelancet.com/